Discussions of grubs cannot exclude their group presentation on the umbrella rig. Although banned in Bassmaster Elite and FLW Tour competition, the multi-armed “egg beaters” remain a vital tool for bass anglers from fall through early spring.

They’re kind of like the short stop of your tackle box, only without all the glamor and star power. Indeed, grubs are a multi-talented category of soft plastics whose lack of fanfare starkly contrasts their versatility.

Unlike the warmer months, when scattered crappie create the opportunity to pick one or two here and there and piece together a decent day, Toledo Bend guide Dennis Tietje said the late fall/early winter period calls for a higher level of discernment.

When cooler temperatures have those crappie biting lightly, strike detection becomes paramount. That can be challenging on a good day, but in windy conditions it’s critical that you don’t let the blow rob you of opportunities.